potential tenant wants to send own credit report

[Marci Stein]

Screening people for house rental, person tells me she will send proof of pay 

and  credit report from her bank. I was planning on asking for $25 to run my own. 

is this an acceptable alternative? is it the same thing? Thanks.

[Bill Crider]

Always pull your own report. I have had tenants fake credit reports, pay stubs, W2s, and rent receipts. Check to phone numbers they give you as landlord and employer - ensure they are not just a buddy that agreed to answer the phone for them.  Drive by the address they list as their current address. I have had tenants list non-existent addresses and vacant, condemned houses as their current address.

Most people are honest and good. But you need to protect yourself from those who are not. An extra month's vacancy is much cheaper than a problem tenant.